New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-20
THE LEAGUE PROCLAIMED.
TALKS WITH PARNELL AND SEXTON.
LAST ExpRDIENT OF DEsPRRATE 'o'ERN"ENi-
THE IRISH LEADER NOT DisCoURAGED-A
TRIVIAL EXCUSE FOR THE PRooLAMA-
TON - SECESSION OF CHAMBER
LAIN AND RUssELLFRoM

TON - SECESSION OF CHAMBER
LAIN AND RUssELLFRoM
TIE UNIoNIsTs.
LONDON. Aug 19-As was enabled to inform
you last night the Government have decided 10 pro-
claim the National League and the Lord Lieutenant
has to-day issued the proclamation. They have,
furthermore in obedience to the cam0r OF the land
lords. practically abandoned the Land bill by
accepting the fatal amendments OF the Lords ana
as result of both these steps they have broken up
the Liberal .Unionist alliance All the Liberal
declare that the Government by spelling the Lana
bill at the bidding of the Lords and springlng the
proclamation of the League upon them have vio-
lated the terms of their alliance. Mr. Chamberlain
who sees no prospect but political destruction IN
keeping the game up any longer, has sew
cred his connection with the Liberal unlohlst
party. Mr.. Russell the gentleman VINO
has been posing the Unionlst champion
of the Ulster tenants has done likewise. Other
secessions are bound to follow.
Taking into account the crisis created by all
these circumstances, and in especial by the over
shadowlng fact Of the proclamation of the National
League, have sought the views of Mr Parneil'
who has favored me this evening with brief inter-
view. and have also procured an expression OF
opinion from Mr. Sexton. Here is what Mr. Par
nell said in answer to my first query:
"The proclamation of the League is a wanton
and fagitious act but 1t is hardly more disgracefu
than the wrecking of the Land bill last night in
The House One step deprives the Irish tenant Of
the homes of relief which the alteration the Land
bill had undergone when it first came down
from the Lords had raised in his
breast, the other aims at deprving him
of the sole weapon, the weapon of organization,
that is left him when the Legislature throws him
on his own resources for his -protection. 1t APP
nears to be once again case of the Irish tenant
stripped naked and left to defend himself against
his landlord who is backed up by d Coercion Gov
eminent But it is the last time such n spectacle
will be witnessed. / have no apprehension as TO
the issue should the Government fight out this
struggle as wantony as they have begun it. and
az brutally as other coercion Governments have
done.
There will be much suffering of course. but the
people are III position thousand times better
than ever they were before. They have great
English party, and one which is daily growing
moIe powerful. at their back; party whose Senti-
ments were declared enthusiastically the other day
at Northwich, and whose genuine and practical
sympathy is strikmgly exerhplihed in the action OF
the English members of Parliament who have de-
cded to come over to our anti Coercion meet
ings in Dublin on Monday and enroll themselves as
members of the proclaimed National League. The
people rely above all upon the knowledge that the
precious sympathy and support of their kin beyond
the sea and of the people of America will not fail
them in this their final struggle with oppression
and misrule."
"Don't you think,"I asked that this sudden
change of 'front.' coming after many vacllations
during the progress of the Land bill and after
Northwich, Indicates state of panic on the part
of the Governmentp
"Unquestionably." answered Mr.. Parneil, Il
look upon the proclamation of the League as
proof that the Tories have grown desperate and
have ceased to rely the irritating support OF the
Liberal Unonists. These politicians III the House
of Commons have been hopelessy dscredited by
their conduct on the Land bill, some Of them pIo-
posing tolerably useful amendments and all the
rest of them voting against them aud hoping by
that means to hoodwink the public into the belief
that they were managing successfully to Sit upon
two stools. In the country the recent bye-elec-
tions have proved that the Liberal Union lists
have ceased to have any support among
the voters and the Tories see that in the
event of general election their party would be
practically annihilated. consequently the Tories
have apparently resolved TO 90 their own way.
which is the old way of weak and desperate gov
ernmeDts. The weaker the government the more
reckless the tyranny as rule, and if
half.year will be trying time for Ireland but as
Ihsve said already. the people were never better
prepared, and il friends In America support us,
as they are sure to do this threat
ened tyranny may prove q real blessing
in disguise and be the means of Fastening Instead
of retarding the return of Mr.. Gladstone and q
Home Rule Government to power"
The following are Mr. Sections views:
THE proclamation Of the League" said Mr..
Sexton, whilst empty proceeding in
itself, will no doubt be followed by
steps OF more decisive kind, and 1t is probable
that many men In Ireland will have to suffer tor a
period the loss of their liberty and great suffer.
ing will be inflicted on those depending
on them; but this process of wanton
persecution, so far from chilling the
spirit of the people will infame it and the infal-
lbe result will be TO hasten and not delay the ac-
complishment of the freedom of our country.
The effect in England, / am confident.
will be altogether good. The Government
have not dared to assert their thar